Art
Major / BFA / Bachelor of Fine Arts
Graphic Design Concentration
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design is the art and practice of planning, organizing, and communicating ideas and experiences with visual and textual content. One of the designer’s primary goals is to produce visuals that educate, inform, motivate or market products and/or services for clients whether it be commercial, educational, cultural, social,
or political.
Our program offers a variety of courses focused on varying design techniques, mediums, and applications. We emphasize the development of a creative problem-solving mindset.
Studio Art Concentration
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Studio Art program is the most studio-intensive within the art department, offering pre-professional training for the fine artist. It accents creativity and encourages a breadth of skills in the arts. Upon completion of the BFA degree, students may elect to go to graduate school or begin professional careers.
Minors in Art
Three offerings for students interested in gaining a flexible background in graphics or studio art.
Art Studio / Graphic Design / Advertising Production
Often paired with a bachelor’s of Arts in Graphic Design, this minor program in art has the variety to meet your interests.
Arts Management
This versatile degree allows graduates to create or manage a business that shares their passion for the arts. There will be a growing need for business professionals to run art galleries, theaters, and museums or lead arts nonprofits. The field is also growing as local cities are considering how to increase cultural planning and the impact of the arts on their economies. The Arts Management curriculum combines traditional arts with business and marketing courses. The major will allow students to acquire a deep understanding of the arts and of the business principles that are important to succeed in the art world. Arts Management, BS
COURSE INFORMATION:
Art, Graphic Design Concentration, BFA
Student Experience
The Franciscan spirit is Fundamental . . .whether on-campus or off in our Study Abroad Program.
Inside or outside the classroom, the student experience determines what students learn and what new graduates have the potential to do as they enter the workforce.
New investments in classroom and in campus facilities will allow even better student preparation for the challenges of the 21st century.
Scholarships
Art Recruitment Day (spring 2026)
Graphic Design & Studio Concentration students
- Daylong event to showcase facilities and faculty
- Significant scholarships are competitively awarded
- Guided Tour of Campus
- Meeting with Admissions Staff & Success Coaches
BFA / Majors & Undeclared Students
Access to funds in a variety of ways:
- Portfolio review in person at any level of college standing
- Participating in the Art Recruitment Day prior to attending
- Remote portfolio review prior to attending
Existing Named Scholarships
Provide recurring funding during your college experience: Fr. Tom Brown Scholarship, DeMero Scholarship, Helmer Fine Arts Scholarship, Robert & Jason Mejer Scholarship, Spear Scholarship, Schwan Family Scholarship, Winking Scholarship
Meet our faculty
Gary Meacher, M.F.A.
15+ years as a Freelance Designer
15+ years as a Creative Educator
Passionate about employing the use of design as a tool for solving problems and communicating.
Teaches: A variety of creative hardware and software tools / Graphic Design / Motion Design / Web Design / User Experience / Creative Professional Practices and Citizenship, etc.
Karl Warma, M.F.A.
Professor of Art
Former Peace Corps Volunteer
10+ years Graphic Design Business Owner
Teaches: Drawing / Photography / Illustration / History of Graphic Design / Aesthetics
In Memoriam
Robert Mejer, MFA (1944 – 2025)
Distinguished Professor of Art; Curator, Gray Gallery
Quincy University honors distinguished art professor and well-known Quincy artist, Robert (Bob) Lee Mejer, who passed away on July 5 in Quincy, IL.
Bob was a distinguished professor of art at Quincy University for 57 years. He founded and served as curator of the Gray Gallery in the Brenner Library at QU.
He was a signature charter member of the National Watercolor Society. In June of 2025, the Watercolor USA Honor Society selected Bob as their 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. He was a distinguished master of the Transparent Watercolor Society of North America and a master fellowship member of the International Society of Experimental Artists. Learn more about Bob
A scholarship is available in his and his son Jason’s name for memorials.
Pencil us in . . .For a tour or portfolio review
Have an interest in art?
The mission of the Art Program is to help students:
To become more visually literate by acquiring a competency in the non-verbal language of art and design.
To develop critical skills through verbal and written accounts of historical and contemporary art issues.
To develop the capacity to solve problems within a variety of contexts.
To develop competencies in the areas of 2-D and 3-D art and design.
To learn and utilize traditional and current technologies in creating art and design.
The need for self-evaluation regarding one’s own artworks and the ability of others.
The development (through these cumulative learning experiences) of the capacity for independent work
in the art and design professions.
To know the professional standards required of being a good artist/designer.
To understand and have knowledge of the business of being an artist/designer
